A Jacksonville, Fla., TV station reported Wednesday that the Jaguars were talking to the Jets about trading for Tim Tebow, but Tebow is unlikely to be traded by Thursday's 4 p.m. trade deadline.Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger

Despite another rumor, it appears quarterback Tim Tebow will remain a member of the Jets once the trade deadline passes Thursday at 4 p.m.

The latest installment of the Tebow Saga hit Wednesday morning, a report from a Jacksonville, Fla., television station that suggested the Jaguars — Tebow’s hometown team — would make a push for the backup QB.

The report, however, was not confirmed by Jaguars GM Gene Smith or owner Shahid Khan, two members of the organization who would put such a move in motion. It was later taken off the station’s website.

Tebow would be attractive to Jacksonville because of his massive fan following, a group that has a large base in Florida, where Tebow was a legendary high school and college football player.

However, talks between the Jets and Jaguars appear to be exaggerated.

A person with knowledge of the team’s plans said recently the Jets were firm in their commitment to Tebow, an opinion which seems to be consistent with the way the team has approached the bye week. That person requested anonymity because the team doesn’t publicize trade talks.

Coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano have admitted there are better ways to use the versatile Tebow. Ryan said that during his coaches-only meetings this week, Tebow’s role — limited to just five snaps and one carry in last Sunday’s 30-9 loss to Miami — would be revisited.

“I think we’ll take a hard look at how we’re using him. Is there other things we can do with him? I think you’re absolutely right we’ll be doing that,” Ryan said on a conference call Monday.

Owner Woody Johnson has also publicly stated his intent to have Tebow here for the next three years — the remainder of his contract.

“I think he’s going to be a real valuable asset in terms of helping us win games,” Johnson said in early October.

So far this season, Tebow has attempted three passes and completed two for a total of 32 yards. He is third on the team in rushing with 78 yards on 23 attempts.

But his most valuable role seems to be as a decoy. Against Miami, he was lined up primarily as an H-back or tight end that split out wide and ran routes. Ryan said this was because it forced the defense to keep certain personnel groupings on the field — ones that would lend valuable matchups to other wide receivers.

Tebow has also played a heavy role on special teams as a personal protector during punts, where the Jets have run three separate fakes. Ryan, though, said he wouldn’t be surprised if Tebow was frustrated with a lack of usage.

“Any competitor wants to be out there playing. It wouldn’t be shocking if that’s how he felt. As a football team we’re frustrated,” Ryan said Monday. “We’re getting closer and closer. We thought we were getting better as a football team but we took a step back (Sunday).”

Still, trading Tebow because of these road bumps and giving up on the experiment less than eight months after it began does not seem likely.

Aside from the difficulties it would cause the Jaguars to install a new Tebow-friendly offense on short notice, it would force the Jets to cut bait on an experiment they’ve stood behind to this point. They do not want to derail what progress they’ve made — even if that progress has been minimal.